Page 14 of Advance and Retreat (Dark Empire #6)
“I have every intention of surprising him.” She grinned at her sister’s image as Stacy flexed her bicep to show how tough she was after receiving the injection. “Dark Death hit me hard, but my immune system fought harder. You know they used my antibodies to help develop the vaccine?”
“Like I said, you’re a warrior,” Wovir praised. “You overcome the odds and protect those weaker than yourself.”
Toni ordered the vid off. “Tell me the latest on the trip.”
The trio exchanged glances. Feru rolled his eyes, Imon smirked, and Wovir chuckled.
“The Coydidak aren’t the most welcoming bunch to outsiders,” Imon said. “The leader’s Nobek, who’s serving as the flagship’s weapons commander, was quite...adamant...about how we’ll have to direct our loyalty to his people over all other considerations.”
“I think the Coydidak are worried their way of life will be rejected once the expedition is underway. They suspect the Kalquorians used to our society will try to change how they do things,” Feru interjected.
“Do you think it’ll be a problem?” Toni asked.
“It’ll be an adjustment period,” Imon said. “Several species are signing up for the trip, but the main groups will be Kalquorians and Earthers. No doubt there’ll be issues.”
“It’ll keep things interesting,” Wovir opined.
“By interesting, he means he anticipates getting into fights when everyone stops seeing eye-to-eye,” Imon snorted.
“I take it you were approved to join then?” Toni’s heart beat painfully. Which was silly, since she’d known them for such a short time. Still, she’d looked forward to becoming better acquainted.
“We were.” Imon wiggled his brows at her, then offered a salacious wink. “Get well as fast as you claim you will. We need a proper send off.”
“I’ll see what I can do. Might be you’ll end up doing all the work.”
“I’m on it,” Wovir said, his feral but enthralling features lighting. “All you have to do is relax and enjoy me.”
She laughed, doing her best to keep it from sounding forced. Barely acquainted or not, she’d miss them.
She also envied them for their forthcoming grand adventure. They were off to experience a once-in-a-lifetime event. They’d tally achievements few could boast of. Meanwhile, she was stuck in the same old rut.
I don’t want to run Earth’s education department. Unfortunately, it was all she knew. What else was there for her?
* * * *
C ustoms station orbiting Kalquor
Laughter bit her lips together to keep from telling off the surly Nobek customs officer. Instead, she showed him her handheld’s monitor.
“What’s this supposed to be?” he growled.
With his face bunched up in the unfriendliest of expressions, the resulting creases made it look twice as scarred.
The scowl had built steadily stronger as he’d gone over her biometrics, checked for criminal history, and who knew what other information on her.
He was probably aware of her bra size by now.
Her bona fides, carefully prepared to gain her admission to Kalquor, had apparently not been enough.
She waved the handheld impatiently. “It’s my invitation to interview for a job in a few days. It came from Dramok Korkla, the assistant to Emperor Clajak. It has the holograph of authenticity. I’m told those can’t be forged.”
“I can see that.” He took the handheld from her and inspected the summons closely. “You came from Joshada.”
“As I said.”
“According to the invitation’s timestamp, you would have been enroute prior to Dramok Korkla sending it.”
She shrugged. “They’ll want me. No one’s better qualified for the position.” She saw no need for false modesty.
Nobek Cranky snorted and gave her back the handheld.
“If you’d shown up without this, you would have been put in an interrogation room.
Unauthorized attempts to access Kalquor are strictly prohibited and regarded as suspicious.
We’re at war, you know. You’re originally from Mercy, and we have few friends from there. ”
“I’m aware.”
He punched buttons on his computer and rapped out words in matching rhythm. “You’re cleared to access the planet, Matara Lorenz. Shuttle bays are on Level Twelve. Have a pleasant stay in the empire.”
“Thanks for the warm welcome.”
If he noticed the sarcasm, he ignored it. He was already motioning a couple of Joshadans to the booth. “Next.”
Laughter hefted her two carry-ons and hurried through the intake area.
She passed its unsmiling entry officers and human women encased in protective containments.
The women suspiciously eyed her though Nobek Cranky’s silent female partner hadn’t called out a warning.
Laughter quashed a wriggle of unease in her gut.
She reminded herself that the scrutiny for those waiting to be allowed admittance was to fend off the Dark threat.
Her pace quickened until she reached the orbiting space station’s main concourse. Her excitement soared as she stepped into the steady stream of mostly Kalquorian men flowing in muscled tides.
So much eye candy. They appeared quite a bit friendlier than the customs officer she hoped to never meet again. Unlike him, they gave her appreciative looks. Maybe Nobek Cranky had been disinterested in women.
So much for wearing something special to ease the way.
Her silk blouse was sleeveless and cut to show a hint of cleavage.
Laughter preferred to be admired for her intellect, but she wasn’t above using her admirable physical assets to help her current cause.
If men...and occasionally women...were silly enough to let attraction give her an edge, so be it.
She walked fast to discourage any interruption and swung a tailored jacket on for good measure. She still had three days before her interview, but she was eager to board a shuttle and land on Kalquor. Eager to start a new chapter of her life, one perhaps worth living.
She only briefly considered informing Christoph she’d made it to her destination safely. They were officially over now, thanks to her applying for the long-distance communications officer slot on the Coydidak fleet’s deep space mission and not consulting him.
Despite the shouted argument that had closed the door on their four-year relationship, Laughter felt more excitement than regret. This decision is right. Coming here to go on the exploration of a lifetime is the destiny I was meant for.
The interview with the emperor’s assistant, then another involving the commander of the Coydidak fleet, a Dramok named Rorix, were mere formalities. There was no doubt the job was hers for the taking.